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. . . . but only coz I said I would post the results of last weeks tests. So let's see if we can keep this nice, shall we?

As some of you may know Matty the Damned's numbers have gone to pot in an extraordinary fashion over the last few weeks. Very unfabulous. Despite my overwhelming desire to blame the Welsh, I think that HIV (and certain large doses of corticosteroids prescribed by a certain idiot immunologist) may have had something to do with it.

As is customary in these threads I shall post my previous results for the purposes of perspective.

October 2006 (or thereabouts)

CD4 Absolute: 15CD4 %: 5VL: greater than 500,000 (Log 4.9)

I think we can declare that to be a true blue w00t n00b l00z3rz!!!! gilt edged AIDS Victim result. Jeff Whathisname would be proud.

So I decided to restart HAART. Last week, after two weeks on the Blessed Pills That Make Life Great bloods were drawn by my Clinical Nurse Consultant and the results were delivered today. To wit:

November 2006CD4 Absolute: 36CD4 %: 6VL: 13,000 (Log 4.1)

To which my response was: dubble U tee eff? Greater than 500,000 down to 13,000 corresponds to a log shift of .8?

I don't think so. But what would I know? I passed Year 10 Maths with a C grade. Which, incidentally, makes me a doctor in certain parts of Latin America and the South Pacific.

On a related note, various other tests were performed by Frau Eva, including tests for CMV, Toxo and so on. Apparently I have "cotton wool spots" or something on my left retina. I don't really know the significance of these since it was all getting rather boring and my mind wandered off while she was talking.

The Good Frau also is fretting about MAC and she wants me to do other tests which involve defeacting in three jars. Now Matty the Damned has no shame. He'll crap in just about anything on demand, just check out some of the more declasse threads around here, but these tiny little jars I've been given are just unacceptable!

They read "Product of Australia". No way baby. Anybody who knows anything about these matters will understand that quality shittin' jars are only manufactured in Germany.

MTD, You are indeed one of a kind. I don't know how you maintain your whit during your difficult time here, but much to my amazement, you always make me smile. And for that I thank you. I really do wish you the best thorough all this hell. And major props to you for keeping that sense of humor. that I believe, will take you further than any HAART drugs ever will. OK no more nice comments. I don't want you to rip me a new one for being a kiss-ass (or do I? Might be entertaining)

All I can think of is the time me mum told me to "wish in one hand and sh*t in the other, and see which one fills up first." Absolutely of no relevance, but somehow completely appropriate. I like the way your numbers are trending.

...to be boring, factual and unwitty. The log value of a viral load of 500K+ is 6, not 4.9. Log value of 13,000 is 4.1. So a 2 log drop. This is a good result, if the numbers is correct. Viral load count for log 4.9 would be about 79-80,000.

I sincerely hope the combo thing does not come off the rails for you just now.

..to be boring, factual and unwitty. The log value of a viral load of 500K+ is 6, not 4.9. Log value of 13,000 is 4.1. So a 2 log drop. This is a good result, if the numbers is correct. Viral load count for log 4.9 would be about 79-80,000.

When you start out with such a high VL and low CD4 count, it takes a while to recover. I had similar numbers, and it took 8 months before my CD4's went from 12 to 150 and my VL from 300,000 to undetectable.

A two-log decrease in your viral load in just one month is encouraging. You're doing good. Give it some time.

I also had those "cotton wool spots" in one of my eyes. The spots went away after my viral load went down.

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

In regards to the "cotton wool spots" did that have to do with CMV? I have cmv retinitis, and I first noticed it with a fuzzy looking shadow floating around my right eye. To me it looked like I was looking out of a dirty window. An opthamology appointment can rule out any problems.

Been out of the loop lately, but so very glad that you are showing some progress.

Take it slow...................... 'n ........................ easy.......................... . This takes an inordinate amount of time. Find some research, or other distraction that will keep your mind and body busy. Little can be done by us when we are w - a - i - t - i - n - g for the recovcery of CD4s.

I know, you want no coddling, but truth is, your body needs it now. Sleep loads, drink loads of water, enjoy the water results, and eat all you can stomach. Your body is now at war and you will feel it for some time. Just hang in there, it is worth it!!!

In true Love,

Logged

The Bible contains 6 admonishments to homosexuals,and 362 to heterosexuals.This doesn't mean that God doesn't love heterosexuals, It's just that they need more supervision.Lynn Lavne